Certainly! Let’s dive into this piece on the criticism of the new Disney series “Say Nothing” and provide some humorous commentary along the way. So, here goes:
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Critique of the Abduction Scene in “Say Nothing”
Well, folks, it seems we have a situation brewing in the world of television! “Say Nothing,” the much-anticipated Disney series, seems to have stirred the pot more than a spoon in a boiling kettle. The McKendry family has some thoughts, and, if you ask me, they’ve hit the nail on the head—but with a hammer that’s seen better days!
Helen McKendry, the eldest daughter of the late Jean McConville—a name synonymous with tragedy in Northern Ireland—is at the heart of this storm. Imagine deciding to binge-watch a show about your own mother’s abduction and murder. That’s a reality check more shocking than a double espresso on a Monday morning!
Helen, having recently suffered a stroke—good on you, love—managed to power through the entire series in one sitting. Talk about dedication! But it sounds like her husband, Seamus, is more of a ‘glass half-empty’ kind of guy regarding the show. He’s criticized the portrayal of the abduction scene as “poorly portrayed,” which is like saying a car crash isn’t aesthetically pleasing.
As Seamus puts it, “It should have shown the full horror of what happened,” to which they ideally would have added dramatic music and a “viewer discretion is advised!” sign. After all, when recreating something that awful, you can’t afford to go “lite” on the terror. No one wants to see a half-baked horror story that leaves you guessing what went down! It’s a bit like watching a horror movie where the monster never shows up… where’s the thrill, eh?
For those unacquainted with the grim history, Jean McConville was abducted by an IRA gang in 1972, dragged from her home, and later murdered. A bit of a plot twist, indeed! And let’s not forget that the drama is based on a book by US journalist Patrick Radden Keefe, widely praised yet evidently not consulted by the people who lived it. Seamus is left wondering, “Did they use Google?” because it appears they may have overlooked a few important details by not asking him for the family’s perspective.
To add to the drama, there was a promise for a private screening, yet like that gym membership you never use, it never happened. Classic! “Is it too late to get a refund?” Seamus must be thinking. After all, they’ve been sitting on the sidelines for 40 years, so a little notification would be nice. You know, “Hey, we’ve got a show on the way about your mother’s abduction—don’t worry! We totally consulted you!” It’s clear they missed the mark on that front.
The Mixed Reviews
Before we spiral into a full-blown rant, let’s acknowledge there are bright spots. Seamus mentions the production values are superb, “brilliantly made,” you might say, but clearly lacks the bite when it comes to emotional heft. It’s like serving a gourmet meal, but forgetting the seasoning. A feast for the eyes, but light on the palate!
Interestingly, the series has received rave reviews and accolades, dubbed by Time magazine as the “must-watch political thriller of 2024.” Looks like they’re setting the stage for possibly more awards than you can shake a stick at. Or, more fittingly, more than the IRA lies about its casualty numbers. But for a show centered around something so harrowing, one might argue if those making it should’ve steered their narrative ship with more care towards the actual family being depicted.
Final Thoughts
So, as we sit on the edge of our seats, popcorn in hand—some of us more cautious than others—let’s hope that future episodes take heed of Seamus McKendry’s and Helen’s words. Their voices matter. Perhaps they need to bring in a family member on board for future seasons, to make sure the crème brûlée doesn’t turn into just another soggy pudding with no substance.
Ultimately, this is a story that deserves to be given the weight and complexity it carries. If nothing else, let’s hope the next episode comes with a side of empathy, a spoonful of understanding, and, dare I say, a dash of horror that doesn’t leave us guessing. Because, remember, in the world of TV, as in life, we only want to be left guessing about plot twists, not the essential truths of a tragedy that so many families have endured.
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And there you have it, folks! A cheeky and observant commentary on a serious topic served with a sprinkle of humor. Hope you enjoyed it!
“The opening episode’s abduction sequence was inadequately depicted,” stated Mr. McKendry during an interview with the Sunday World.
Helen, the eldest daughter of Jean McConville, displayed resilience as she viewed the series with her husband, Seamus, despite recovering from a recent stroke; Seamus remarked, “She handled it well.”
The nine-part series premiered on the Disney channel last Thursday, portraying the harrowing events when Mrs. McConville was violently abducted in front of her ten children by an IRA group, an action that left an indelible mark on her family.
Despite its accolades, Seamus expressed dissatisfaction with certain elements of *Say Nothing,* particularly the lack of follow-through on promises to arrange a private screening for the McKendry family.
“The abduction scene’s portrayal in the premiere episode was lacking,” Mr. McKendry articulated, emphasizing that the depth of the incident was insufficiently captured. “It should have depicted the full extent of the horror experienced, but it didn’t. It left too much to the imagination.”
He expressed concerns over how Helen would respond to the show, noting, however, that she managed to keep her composure throughout the viewing.
For many years, Mr. McKendry has worked vigorously in support of his wife’s quest to locate her mother’s remains and authored a book chronicling that campaign in 2000, highlighting the emotional ramifications their family has faced.
“The communication with the content creators was non-existent,” he lamented.
“There was a total lack of engagement with both Helen and myself,” he added, expressing a desire for open dialogue regarding the program.
“After nearly 40 years of advocating for the Disappeared, you would expect that we would be consulted regarding a project focused on the topic. It is quite disheartening.”
As a result of these concerns, Mr. McKendry’s legal representation secured a video conference involving the McKendry family and a representative from the production team.
“We were assured that a private screening would be arranged before the series officially aired on Disney,” Mr. McKendry recounted, expressing disappointment that the event never took place.
Regardless of his criticisms, Mr. McKendry acknowledges the importance of the series and hopes it will broaden public understanding of the Disappeared narrative.
He is convinced that the IRA misrepresented the number of individuals they murdered and buried clandestinely.
“There are a lot more bodies out there,” he asserted.
“Who are the Provos to dictate how many more bodies might be unaccounted for?”
“They initially denied any Disappeared existed until we pressed them into acknowledging it.”
He commended the cast’s performances in *Say Nothing,* labeling them as extremely impressive.
“The series has its merits. However, a more concerted effort at communication from the program makers would have been appreciated,” Mr. McKendry emphasized.
“Considering their resources, it would have been reasonable to expect a touch more initiative on their part.”
Fourteen IRA members are believed to have been involved in the abduction of Mrs. McConville from her home in the Divis Flats.
However, her family says she was kidnapped and murdered because she had gone to the aid of a British soldier who had been shot close to her home.
An investigation by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland found no evidence Mrs. McConville had been an informer.
The Belfast woman was one of a large number of people, known as the Disappeared, who were killed and secretly buried by the IRA.
In 1999, the IRA admitted its involvement in many of the murders and said it had identified nine burial sites, including Mrs. McConville’s.
After several unsuccessful searches, Mrs. McConville’s body was eventually found in 2003 on Shelling Hill beach in Co Louth.
The remains of twelve of the Disappeared have been found, while four are still unaccounted for.
The new Disney series draws significantly from interviews given by former leading IRA members, Brendan “The Dark” Hughes and Dolours Price for the Boston tapes project.
The project, which was coordinated by Boston College in the US, involved former republican and loyalist paramilitaries discussing their roles during the Troubles.
However, after Dolours Price claimed in a newspaper interview in 2010 that she had been the person who drove Mrs. McConville to the place where she was shot dead, the PSNI launched a successful attempt to get access to the Boston tapes.
In her interview as part of the Boston College project, Price, who died in 2013, said she handed Mrs. McConville over to a four-man IRA team near Dundalk.
The new drama suggests that Price and her sister Marian, also an IRA member, were ordered to return to Co Louth, where it is believed Marian Price fired the shot that killed Mrs. McConville.
How do the narratives of the missing individuals shape our understanding of the IRA’s violent past?
R(–color-black-base)”>The ongoing search for the missing individuals has been a haunting reminder of the violent past associated with the IRA and the unresolved cases surrounding the Disappeared. The importance of these narratives cannot be understated, as they serve to shed light on the complexities of a tumultuous period in Northern Ireland’s history.
As the investigations continue, the families of the Disappeared remain hopeful for closure, while advocates and historians alike emphasize the need for accountability and transparency in uncovering the full truth of these tragic events.
